The turtle mountain band of chippewa indians (TMBCI) is honored to submit this application for round 2 funding under the tribal broadband connectivity program (TBCP), aligned with our tribal…

The turtle mountain band of chippewa indians (TMBCI) is honored to submit this application for round 2 funding under the tribal broadband connectivity program (TBCP), aligned with our tribal government resolution of consent. Recognized by the U.S. Department of the interiors bureau of indian affairs, TMBCI serves a vibrant community of 32,365 members, with over 10,302 residing on or near our reservation. This application represents our commitment to leveraging broadband technology for the profound benefit of our community, addressing critical needs in digital inclusion, access, and literacy. Project scope and community impact our project aims to serve 7,654 reservation tribal members, 2,131 households, and 10 community anchor institutions within the TMBCI lands and trust areas in rolette county. Central to our proposal is the creation of the TMBCI community gateway, a comprehensive online portal designed to facilitate access to essential services like telehealth, remote learning, and workforce development. This initiative is complemented by the establishment of a digital CAF and community engagement hub, housed in a renovated tribal-owned mall space, and a culturally tailored digital literacy and wellness program. Financial stewardship and team expertise TMBCI has a robust track record of managing over 164 federal and state grants annually, with stringent financial oversight mechanisms in place. Our project management framework involves dedicated fund managers, three-tiered financial scrutiny, and transparent reporting, underpinned by annual audits. The execution of this project will draw on the collective expertise of key tribal departments, including our finance, grants clearinghouse, human resources, planning, property & supply, contracts, and IT departments, ensuring a holistic and effective approach to project delivery. Affordability and accessibility initiatives a pivotal aspect of our proposal is the turtle mountain band of chippewa broadband affordability program, designed to provide no-cost broadband access to 200 households, enhancing digital inclusivity. This is supported by a strategic plan to strengthen utility relationships, particularly with turtle mountain communications, to ensure long-term broadband affordability and access for our community. We will also be providing equipment to 1000 tribal members to improve access to broadband services. Conclusion the TMBCI is poised to utilize TBCP funding to not only address immediate digital disparities but to lay a foundation for sustained economic development, cultural preservation, and improved quality of life through digital empowerment. Our project embodies a deep commitment to community-driven development, with the majority of services provided by TMBCI tribal members, ensuring that solutions are culturally resonant and effectively meet the needs of our community. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with ntia and bring this transformative project to fruition, marking a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide for the turtle mountain band of chippewa indians.